Saint Catherine's Chief Exec Takes to Shop Floor

Wednesday, 12 July 2023 06:00

By Matthew Pells

The new Chief Executive at Saint Catherine's Hospice has been doing a shift in the charity's fundraising shops.

Ray Baird took on the Chief Exec role in April and says he wants to hear from the grass roots volunteers and fundraisers about how the organisation can improve.

A registered mental health nurse consultant with a wealth of experience in the healthcare industry, Ray Baird takes over the helm at Saint Catherine’s in a difficult financial climate but with the aim to grow the hospice and ensure that everyone in the area has access to outstanding end of life care.

Ray’s previous position was in Scotland, where he was the CEO for the largest provider of specialist day care in the country. His working life has seen him in positions in Scotland, England and abroad, having held senior positions in the Department of Health and the World Health Organisation.

Ray says he has taken to the shop floor to get a better understanding of the challenges facing the organisations grass root volunteers.

Saint Catherine’s Hospice was established nearly 40 years ago and covers a 1,600 square mile radius across North and East Yorkshire, caring for patients at the main hospice site in Scarborough and in their own homes.

Ray added:

“I am very excited to have taken this post, Saint Catherine’s has a great history within the local community already but I am looking forward to working with our staff to improve our services further and ensure even more families have access to our care.

“I have been fortunate enough to have been in roles which have enabled me to create and develop innovative services across many developing countries, something which I am immensely proud of, and intend to continue doing at Saint Catherine’s to help the charity to grow throughout the area.”

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